Smoke Mgt Plan Revision Comments

DETP/19/46009

''Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 4:43:52 PM (GMT+07:00) Goldstein, Meyer:'' PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER DEQ 4-2019 CHAPTER 340 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FILED 01/24/2019 4:07 PM ARCHIVES DIVISION SECRETARY OF STATE & LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL FILING CAPTION: Amendments to Oregon Smoke Management Plan and the Oregon State Implementation Plan for Air Quality EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/24/2019 AGENCY APPROVED DATE: 01/24/2019 NOTICE FILED DATE: 07/18/2018 AMEND: 340-200-0040 RULE SUMMARY: Updating the date that the SIP was last updated to reflect the proposed submittal of the updated Smoke Management Plan. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and DEQ recently reviewed the Oregon Smoke Management Plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the smoke management program. As a result, ODF and DEQ are proposing changes to the plan under their respective authority: • ODF is proposing amendments to their smoke management rules under OAR 629-048 and Operational Guidance for the Oregon Smoke Management Program, directive 1-4-1-601, which together comprise the plan. • To incorporate ODF’s amendments into the federally approved Oregon Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan, DEQ proposes amending OAR 340-200-0040. About every five years, ODF conducts a periodic plan review with an advisory committee and DEQ participation. The advisory committee met five times during 2017 and 2018. Main elements of Committee recommendations and input from the ODF Board of Forestry are the basis for ODF’s proposed amendments to the Oregon Smoke Management Plan: 1. Edits to the language of the Smoke Management Plan Objectives; 2. Revisions to the definition of smoke intrusion (OAR 629-048-0005) to include a one-hour threshold at or above 70 ug/m3 and a 24 hour average at or above 26 micrograms per cubic meter, measured midnight to midnight on the first day of smoke entrance into a community; 3. Adding a “Smoke incident” definition; 4. Inclusion of a Community Response Plan and Exemption Request; 5. Modify the Special Protection Zone (SPZ) requirements for Medford, Lakeview, Klamath Falls, and Oakridge area to better fit the natural ridgelines and features of the areas; 6. Adding an alternative to burning recommendation of removing or minimizing large fuel concentrations and heavy fuel loadings; 7. Other miscellaneous revisions to ODF rules governing the Oregon Smoke Management Plan.